Apparatus for molding concrete columns

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for molding concrete columns wherein an elongated shell has a pair of longitudinal sectors which are hinged to swing between closed and open positions so that the finished concrete column may be removed from the shell. Latches are provided for temporarily locking the sectors in the closed position and the periphery of the shell is provided with hooks which enable the shell to be transported between concrete column processing stations. A supporting jig separate from the shell permits the shell to be supported on the cross members of the lifting track of a fork lift tractor.

United States Patent [191 Worker et al.

[451 Jan. 15, 1974 APPARATUS FOR MOLDING CONCRETE COLUMNS [75]Inventors: George W. Worker, Hamden; Philip L. Waddington, North Haven,both of Conn.

[73] Assignee: Leonard Concrete Pipe (30., Inc., Hamden, Conn.

[22] Filed: Dec. 30, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 214,099

[52] US. Cl 249/48, 214/653, 249/161,

249/169, 249/171, 292/242, 425/62, 425/442 [51] Int. Cl. E04g 13/02 [58]Field of Search 249/48, 160, 161,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,635,613 l/l972 Marsh et al249/160 X 977,763 12/1910 Tufts 249/17 Primary ExaminerRobert D. BaldwinAssistant Examiner-DeWalden W. Jones AttorneyAnthony P. De Lio et al.

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for molding concrete columns wherein anelongated shell has a pair of longitudinal sectors which are hinged toswing between closed and open positions so that the finished concretecolumn may be removed from the shell. Latches are provided fortemporarily locking the sectors in the closed position and the peripheryof the shell is provided with hooks which enable the shell to betransported between concrete column processing stations. A supportingjig separate from the shell permits the shell to be supported on thecross members of the'lifting track of a fork lift tractor.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJANISIBH v $785,607

Geo e W. \A/ovKer Pm L. Waddmqk'on BYp x mms APPARATUS FOR MOLDINGCONCRETE COLUMNS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates toimproved apparatus for molding concrete columns, particularly to suchapparatus which may be used in conjunction with fork lift tractors fortransporting the apparatus between concrete column processing stations.

While it is known to mold concrete columns in steel jackets or shells,by filling the shell with concrete and then stripping the shell from theconcrete when the concrete has set sufficiently, the usefulness of suchapparatus has been severely limited because of the time consumed instripping sectors of the shell from the concrete column and because ofthe difficulty in moving the shell containing the concrete betweenstations in a concrete column processing operation, for example, betweena filling station and a curing or storage station. The problem becomesespecially acute when the concrete columns to be molded and transportedhave considerable size and weight, one common concrete column being 8-10feet tall and inches in diameter. The structural strength and dimensionsof brackets, jigs and the like, used to move the columns then becomecritical. For example, the more massive the column, the more importantit is that the column be well supported at points near its top andbottom on the fork lift tractor, so that it will not wobble and becomedisengaged.

Although it is known to provide hinged longitudinal sectors in concretecolumn forms, so that the form or shell may be stripped from the columnwithout removing the sectors of the shell, the hinged sectors have beenof such size as to swing open too far, such that they take up too muchspace when in the open position. Space saving considerations aresignificant in the manufacture of concrete columns since the shellscontaining the concrete must be positioned close to one another when thecuring takes place in an autoclave enclosure. If the sectors of theshell must be swung open widely in order to remove the concrete column,the column will thereafter have to be moved into position closer toother columns in order to conserve space within the autoclavingenclosure. But if the sectors swing open only a minimal distance, thecolumn thereafter need not be moved, thus saving a step in the overallprocessing.

Moreover, since the shells containing the concrete must be transportedat some point in the processing of the columns, the shells must beadaptable for ease of transportation, particularly so that aconventional fork lift tractor may be utilized. The known apparatus formolding concrete columns fail in the foregoing and other respect andhave not been adapted to provide the foregoing and other advantages.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY Accordingly, an object of the invention is toprovide a new and improved apparatus for molding concrete columnswherein a molding jacket or shell may be quickly filled with concreteand transported to another station in the processing, without the needfor again moving the concrete column after the shell has been removedtherefrom.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedapparatus for molding concrete columns which is adaptable, with respectto any of the usual shell sizes, for elevation and transportation byexisting fork lift tractors, and which can be utilized with a minimum ofsupervision.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention willbe apparent from the specification which follows.

The apparatus of the invention includes an elongated shell having a pairof hingeably mounted longitudinal sectors, wherein the sectors areadapted to swing between a closed position and an open position so thatthe finished concrete column may be removed from the shell. Means arealso provided for temporarily locking the sectors in the closedposition. A plurality of hooked members mounted on the periphery of theshell cooperate with an external lifting force, such as the liftingtrack of a fork lift tractor, so that the shell containing the concretemay be transported between concrete column processing stations. In apreferred embodiment, the apparatus includes as a separate element asupporting jig which is adapted on one side to receive the hookedmembers of the shell and on the opposing side to be supported on thecross members of the lifting track of a fork lift tractor.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION For a fuller understanding of the nature andobjects of the invention, reference is had to the following descriptiontaken in onjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partly schematic side view of a conventional fork lifttractor upon the lifting track of which is mounted apparatus of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a partly schematic top view of apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a partly fragmentary section along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2showing apparatus of the invention in normal vertical position;

FIG. 4 is a detail of a hinge portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3,somewhat enlarged;

FIG. 5 is a detail of a locking means of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3,also somewhat enlarged; and

FIG. 6 is a partly schematic, perspective view of a supporting jig ofthe invention.

With reference to the drawing, an elongated jacket or shell 11, of steelor reinforced plastic, for example, is divided into the threelongitudinal sectors 12, 13 and 14. While the shell is illustrated ascylindrical in shape, it will be understood that it could take othergeometrical forms, such as a polygon of any desired number of sides.With reference particularly to FIG. 2, it will be noted that there ishingeably attached to the larger sector 12 two smaller sectors 13 and14, with their corresponding hinges 15 along the connecting edges of thesectors. When the shell is cylindrical, the hinged sectors desirablycomprise about one-quarter each of the total circumference of the shell,since it has been found that sectors of greater length take up so muchspace when swung outwardly that the concrete columns when removed fromthe shells, must thereafter again be moved to take up the space lostwhen the sectors were opened. Accordingly, a substantial saving of spaceis achieved when each of the two hinged sectors subtend about 90 of arc.

The hinged sectors 13 and 14 are held in a closed position with respectto sector 12 by a series of latches 16, which may be in any desirableform, such as the toggle latches shown. Sectors l3 and 14 swing betweenclosed and open positions, the open position being schematically andgenerally indicated by 17 in FIG. 2. If desired, circumferential orsegmented clamps or bands 18 may be provided along the length of theshell to reinforce the shell, and the upper end of the shell may befluted as at 19 to accommodate concrete filling equipment.

If the concrete column is to be manufactured as concrete pipe ratherthan as a solid member, a core member (not shown) is conventionallycentrally positioned in the empty shell before the concrete is pouredinto the shell. The concrete is then tamped down into the shell aroundthe core and the core is removed. In the next step of the processing,the shell containing the concrete column or pipe is moved to a curingsite, such as an autoclaved enclosure. Accordingly, some means must beprovided to facilitate elevation and moving of the filled shell.

For this reason, there are affixed on the periphery of the larger sectorof the shell, hooked members here shown as a pair of plate-like members21 spaced apart approximately parallel by a pair of struts 22.Projecting from the edges of each of the plate-like members 21 are hooks23 and 24. When the shells are relatively small in size, such as 4 to 6feet in length, the plate-like members 21 may be dimensioned such thatthe hooks 23 and 24 will rest directly over corresponding cross memberson the lifting track of a fork lift tractor. Normally, however, theshells have much greater length and therefore the hooked plate-likemembers must be correspondingly greater in length with the hooks 23 and24 spaced apart further on each member 21 than would make them usefulfor resting on the cross members of the lifting track of a fork lifttractor. Moreover, the larger the dimensions of the shell, the moreworking room and clearance is required to mount the shell containing theconcrete on the lifting track of a fork lift tractor. Accordingly, formoving shells of the more usual dimensions, such as 8 to feet in length,an auxiliary supporting jig 25 is provided, the features of which aredescribed below.

Returning to elements of construction of the shell 1 l, with referenceto FIGS. 4 and 5, a convenient form of hinge is the combination of araised edge or a rod 26, a pair of cars 27 and a hinge arm 28 each beingaffixed to the larger, normally stationary sector 12. It will be notedthat arms 28 externally bridge adjacent sectors l2 and 13, and sectors12 and 14. By this construction the sectors 13 and 14 may be freelypivoted outwardly without portions of hinges l5 touching the concreteand the hinges 15 will have sufficient strength to hold the sectors in aclosed position.

A convenient form of locking device 16 is shown in FIG. 5. Withreference thereto, a latch arm 29 is pivoted at 31 on one support member32, which support member mates at adjoining edges with a second supportmember 33. A toggle arm 34 is pivoted at the other end of latch arm 29so as to catch support member 33 in a notch, thereby locking sectors 13and 14 in a closed position. When the arm 34 is pivoted counterclockwisein the view of FIG. 5, it will be apparent that the latch will open.

An embodiment of auxiliary supporting jig 25 is shown in FIG. 6. In oneform, the jig comprises a pair of plate-like members 35 spaced apartapproximately parallel by rods 36 and 37. As indicated schematically inFIG. 3, the upper and lower rods 36 are positioned to be received underhooks 23 and 24 of the shell. Rod 37 is provided primarily forreinforcement On the opposing edges of each of the platelike members 35are a pair of hooked extensions 38 and 39 which, as shown, are adaptedto rest over the upper edges of the cross members 41 and 42 on thelifting track of an elevator 42 of a fork lift tractor 44. It will beevident that the number of rods 36 and their relative spacing on thesupporting jig 25 may be such as to provide adaptability of the jig tothe lifting and transportation of shells of different dimensions, usingthe same jig. For example, rods intermediate to the positions of rods 36may be provided so that when shells having hooks 23 and 24 spaced moreclosely together are to be transported,

.such intermediately positioned rods will support such shells.

In operation, the supporting jig 25 is positioned on the cross members41 and 42 of a fork lift tractor, and the empty shell 11 is positionedon the rods 36 of the jig. The shell is then lifted and transported to aconcrete filling station where a core, if concrete pipe is to bemanufactured, is inserted into the shell as it rests on a platform, andthe concrete is poured into the shell and consolidated by any suitablemeans. The shell may be maintained in a fixed position on the fork lifttractor during this step, or the tractor may be moved into position andthe shell then again affixed on the cross members of the lifting track.After filling and consolidating, the core is normally immediatelyremoved and the filled shell is then elevated by the fork lift tractorand transported to a curing or storage area. The filled shell is loweredand the sectors 13 and 14 are opened. The fork lift tractor then liftsthe shell away from the concrete column and again returns the emptyshell to the concrete filling station.

Accordingly, by virtue of the structure of the shell alone or with thesupporting jig, it will be evident that several fork lift tractors mayquickly position and transport a large number of concrete columns with aminimum of supervision and manual control, thereby greatly increasingthe efficiency and economy of the manufacturing process.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above construction withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for molding concrete columns, including an elongated shell,said shell comprising one sector and a pair of longitudinal sectorshingeably mounted thereto, said pair of sectors being adapted to swingbetween closed positions and open positions for removal of a finishedconcrete column from said shell;

means for temporarily locking said pair of sectors in said closedpositions; and

a plurality of hooked members fixedly mounted on the periphery of saidone sector and adapted for cooperation with an external lifting force totransport said shell between concrete column processing stations, saidhooked members comprising a pair of elongated plate-like members spacedapart longitudinally on said shell, each said plate-like member having apair of hooks integral with said plate-like member, the hooks in eachpair being spaced apart on said plate-like members, said hooksprojecting outwardly from the periphery of said shell whereby said shelland a column therein are supported at a plurality of points along theirlengths so as to be stabilized during said transport.

2. Apparatus for molding concrete columns, including an elongated shell,said shell having a pair of hingeably mounted longitudinal sectors, saidsectors being adapted to swing between a closed position and an openposition for removal of a finished concrete column from said shell;

means for temporarily locking said sectors in said closed position;

a plurality of hooked members mounted on the periphery of said shell andadapted for cooperation with an external lifting force to transport saidshell between concrete column processing stations, said hooked memberscomprising a pair of plate-like members spaced apart longitudinally onsaid shell, each said plate-like member having a pair of hooksprojecting outwardly from the periphery of said shell; and

a supporting jig separate from said shell, said jig being adapted on oneside thereof to receive said hooked members, and adapted on the oppositeside thereof to be supported on the cross members of the lifting trackof a fork lift tractor.

3. Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said hooked members comprise a pairof plate-like members spaced apart longitudinally on said shell, eachsaid plate-like member having a pair of hooks projecting outwardly fromthe periphery of said shell.

4. Apparatus for molding concrete columns, including an elongated shell,said shell having a pair of hingeably mounted longitudinal sectors, saidsectors being adapted to swing between a closed position and an openposition for removal of a finished concrete column from said shell;

means for temporarily locking said sectors in said closed position;

a plurality of hooked members mounted on the periphery of said shell andadapted for cooperation with an external lifting force to transport saidshell between concrete column processing stations; and supporting jigseparate from said shell, said jig being adapted on one side thereof toreceive said hooked members, and adapted on the opposing side thereof tobe supported on the cross members of the lifting track of a fork lifttractor, said supporting jig comprising a pair of plate-like memberstransversely connected by a plurality of rod-like members, at least someof said rod-like members being adapted to receive said hooked membersthereon to support said shell on said jig, said supporting jig furtherincluding a plurality of hooked extensions on each of said plate-likemembers, said hooked extensions being adapted to rest on said crossmembers of said lifting track.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1 further including a supporting jig separatefrom said shell, said jig being adapted on one side thereof to receivesaid hooked members, and adapted on the opposing side thereof to besupported on the cross members of the lifting track of a fork lifttractor.

1. Apparatus for molding concrete columns, including an elongated shell,said shell comprising one sector and a pair of longitudinal sectorshingeably mounted thereto, said pair of sectors being adapted to swingbetween closed positions and open positions for removal of a finishedconcrete column from said shell; means for temporarily locking said pairof sectors in said closed positions; and a plurality of hooked membersfixedly mounted on the periphery of said one sector and adapted forcooperation with an external lifting force to transport said shellbetween concrete column processing stations, said hooked memberscomprising a pair of elongated plate-like members spaced apartlongitudinally on said shell, each said plate-like member having a pairof hooks integral with said plate-like member, the hooks in each pairbeing spaced apart on said plate-like members, said hooks projectingoutwardly from the periphery of said shell whereby said shell and acolumn therein are supported at a plurality of points along theirlengths so as to be stabilized during said transport.
 2. Apparatus formolding concrete columns, including an elongated shell, said shellhaving a pair of hingeably mounted longitudinal sectors, said sectorsbeing adapted to swing between a closed position and an open positionfor removal of a finished concrete column from said shell; means fortemporarily locking said sectors in said closed position; a plurality ofhooked members mounted on the periphery of said shell and adapted forcooperation with an external lifting force to transport said shelLbetween concrete column processing stations, said hooked memberscomprising a pair of plate-like members spaced apart longitudinally onsaid shell, each said plate-like member having a pair of hooksprojecting outwardly from the periphery of said shell; and a supportingjig separate from said shell, said jig being adapted on one side thereofto receive said hooked members, and adapted on the opposing side thereofto be supported on the cross members of the lifting track of a fork lifttractor.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said hooked members comprisea pair of plate-like members spaced apart longitudinally on said shell,each said plate-like member having a pair of hooks projecting outwardlyfrom the periphery of said shell.
 4. Apparatus for molding concretecolumns, including an elongated shell, said shell having a pair ofhingeably mounted longitudinal sectors, said sectors being adapted toswing between a closed position and an open position for removal of afinished concrete column from said shell; means for temporarily lockingsaid sectors in said closed position; a plurality of hooked membersmounted on the periphery of said shell and adapted for cooperation withan external lifting force to transport said shell between concretecolumn processing stations; and a supporting jig separate from saidshell, said jig being adapted on one side thereof to receive said hookedmembers, and adapted on the opposing side thereof to be supported on thecross members of the lifting track of a fork lift tractor, saidsupporting jig comprising a pair of plate-like members transverselyconnected by a plurality of rod-like members, at least some of saidrod-like members being adapted to receive said hooked members thereon tosupport said shell on said jig, said supporting jig further including aplurality of hooked extensions on each of said plate-like members, saidhooked extensions being adapted to rest on said cross members of saidlifting track.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 1 further including a supportingjig separate from said shell, said jig being adapted on one side thereofto receive said hooked members, and adapted on the opposing side thereofto be supported on the cross members of the lifting track of a fork lifttractor.